Birmingham police nab bank robbery suspect in 20 minutes

A gunman robbed an Ensley bank this morning but was nabbed by police within 20 minutes of the holdup.

The robbery happened at 8:44 a.m. at Regions Bank at 2332 Warrior Road. The bank is a drive-through business only, said Birmingham police spokesman Lt. Henry Irby.

Witnesses told police the robber forced an employee arriving at work into the building at gunpoint and demanded money. Three other employees were already inside, Irby said. The man fled with an undisclosed amount of money.

A detailed description of the suspect by bank employees led a West Precinct patrol officer to spot him a short time later. The man was taken into custody at 9:03 a.m. in the 2400 block of 30th Street Ensley.